Wire crimping and cutting mechanism for bed spring machines



June 24; 1958 c. H. GAIL 2,340,118

WIRE CRIMPING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR BED SPRING MACHINES Original Filed Oct. 26, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 3nventor CHA/PL 5 H. 54/;

Gttorneg June24, 1958 H GAIL 2,840,118

C. WIRE CRIMPING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR BED SPRING MACHINES Original Filed Oct. 26, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zhwentor CHA'RL 5 H. 6AM

Gttorneg June 24, 1958 c. H. GAIL 2,840,118 WIRE CRIMPING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR BED SPRING MACHINES Original Filed 001;. 26, 1948 4 Sheets-Shet 3 m r l [k fie l I" :g ll i 69 E 1" I 4] f 67 0 2 6:8 -49 It 5 3nventor CHARLES H. GAIL (Ittorneg June 24, 1958 GAIL c. H. 2,840,118 WIRE CRIMPING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR BED SPRING MACHINES Original Filed Oct. 26. 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 3nventor Z02 CHARLES H 6 14/1.

9] Z08 attorney United States Patent WIRE CRIMPING AND CUTTING MECHANISM FOR BED SPRING MACHINES.

Charles H. Gail, Los'Angeles, Calif., vassignor to' Spring Machinery Company, Los Angeles, Calif., a corpora tion of California Original application October 26, 1948, Serial No. 56,635, new Patent No. 2,663,038, dated December 22,1953.

Divided and this application May 24, 1952, Serial No. 1

13 Claims. c1. 140-92.s

the machine sequentially performs a series of operative 2,840,l l8 Patented June 24,

. 2 Fig. 3 is a plan sectionalview as taken on line 3-53 ofFig.2. V t

Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the lower of 'two similar helix-forming and feeding units, the same being shown at the right hand end of Figs. 1 and 2. g 1 Fig. 5 is an end elevational View of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a further enlarged fragmentary plan sectionaI view of the helix-forming means.

Fig. 7 is a plan view of one of the four helix-cutting and loop-forming units used in the mechanism.

Fig. 8 is an end elevational view thereof. Fig. 9 is'an enlarged cross-sectional view line 9-9 of Fig. 8. 'Fig. 10 is a broken side view as seen from the right of Fig. 9,, the view also being the rear of Fig. 8. v

, Figs. 11, 12 and 13 are'fragmentar'y planviewsof an as t em on 2 end loop-forming means embodied in the unit shown in Figs. 7 to 10, the views showing three stages of operation of said means. f i

The bed spring machine which embodies the present mechanism comprises generally, upper and lower fneans steps but each successive step is performed onlyif the'step immediately preceding the same is completed.

An object of the present invention is to provide automatic means to, form and feed helical connectors, to cut the ends of said connectors after they have connected side-by-side rows of spring coils, andto form closed loops on the ends of said connectors. v Q

A further object of the invention is to provid e means effective upon an abnormal condition inthe feed of the helices to automatically stop their feed and thereby preventundue fouling of the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine in which the feed of the helical connectors is controlled according to the length of the rows of spring coils connected thereby, said feed :then automatically cutting bit the helices, effecting release of the fixedly held rows and forming closed loops on the ends of the helices to obviate tearing of a fabric cover for the completed bed spring. g i a A still further object ofthe. invention is to provide a operation is accomplished by mechanical means under .the control of electro-pneumatic means, each operation,

easily installed in a'workingposition and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple,'a n'd of general superiority and serviceability. 5; The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts,

which will more fully appear in the pour-sect the following description. However, the drawings merely show and I the following description merely describes one embodiment of the present invention, which illustration or example only.

is given by way of In'the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts in the several views.

Fig. l is a schematic view of the present wire crimping, feeding and cutting mechanism, arranged in diagram form to show. the sequential performanceof the successive operative steps. a

, Fig. 2 is a broken front elevational view of a bed spring machine embodying the present mechanism.

31 and 32 cooperating to engage rows of spring coils 108 therebetween to *hold said coils in fixed position in side by-side rows whereby they are adapted to receive and be connectedby upper and lower helical connectors 91. t The means 31 and 32 comprise the subject matter of the mentioned pending application and, therefore, will'not'be described in detail in this application. 2 r

A frame 25 (Fig. '2) mounts means 31 and 32and .comprises-vertical end frame channels 45 (Fig: '3) and connecting longitudinal channels 49. I a i Each 'r'neans 31 and 32 comprises transverse spaced plates 111 (Fig. 3) mounting spacers 113. The latter co- 7 operate with said plates to form paths along which spring coils 108 are adapted to travel. Each plate 111, in line with the path of helix 91, is provided with a groove 112 through which said helix travels. Beneath plates 111 and on each side of grooves 112 therein'th ere is provided a pair of side-by-side longitudinalbars 117 and 118 (Fig. 3).

machine of the character indicated in which the sequential The invention also has for its objects to provide such .means that are positive-in operation, convenient in'use,

Although not shown in the present case, mechanism is provided to move said bars 117 and 118 toward and from each other and toward and from the plates 111 for the purpose of intermittently advancing rows of spring-coils along the mentioned paths. Such mechanism is fully disclosed in the mentioned pending application H y Bars 117 are provided with means 119 (Fig. 3) for engaging the upper and lower turns 115 of't'he spring coils 108, and bars 118 are provided'with means 123 that cooperate with means 119 to locate the adjacent rows" of spring coils in helix-receiving position and in alignment with grooves 112.

The only portion of the mechanism that moves bars -'117 and 118 that is hereshown is atoggle 134 (Fig. 1),

the mechanism embodying four such toggles one each for the upper and lower bars 117 and 118. It will later 'be shown how' said toggles are controlled and how. only "when straightened, to effect proper engagement'of-the -means- 119 (Fig. 3) and 120, canthe' operativ'e steps of .forming .and feeding'helices, and cutting-and looping'the same, be instituted. 1

'The machine is provided with drive means 26 '(Fig; 1)

which comprises an electric motor 51, a shaft 52 driven by said. motor by means of a" belt drive 53, anda. shaft 55 driven from shaft 52 by a drive 58. Shaft 55 represents one of four similar shafts that comprise the drive shafts of the mechanism thatoperates bars 117 and 118.; Pulley 6310f drive 58 is normally loose on shaft 55 and a onerevolutionclutch 64, controlled by afoot-operated pedal 65, serves to couple said pulley and shaftto effect a drive of shaft 55 from motor51. Upon steppingon pedal 65,

a said shaft will make one revolution and stop.;;.:- 1

Upon each operation ofthe foot pedal,jbars 117..

118. are moved apart, the latter moving the helix-connected rows of coils rearward and the former moving forward to engage a row of coils fed intothe front of ma hi i an l n mnysqssivsr h t e fi t said latter row and the row adjacent thereto into position to-b s nn t -t f v 1 r 'The mechanism constitutingthe subject-matter of the present invention comprises, generally, similar upper and lower helix-forming and -fceding units 27 and 28 (Fig. 12). respectively; a drive 29 (Fig. 3) forsaid units; clutch means 30 (Fig.1) interconnecting drive 29 and motor 51; means 39 (seeright central part of Fig. 1) to control the length of feed'of the helices 91 formed by units 27 and 28; means 40 ,(s ce lowerleft part of Fig. 1 and Figs. 2 and3) responsive to an obstruction to said feed to stop the same; upper and lower front units 41 (Fig. 2) and 42 (Figs.2 and;3) and upper and lower rear units43 (Fig.

2) and 44 (Figs; 2 and 3) for cutting both ends of both L helices -91 andfor forming said ends into closed loops;

and electro-pneumatic controls for effecting a sequence of'operations of the abovemeans; whereby any one operation is performed only after a preceding operation has been completed. t t a'lhe upper and lower helix-forming and helix-feeding units 27 and 28,located at the right of'Fig. 2, are driven "fromgshaft' 52 (Fig. 1) through the medium of drive 54 \(Fig..l),'clutch 30 and drive 29 (Figs. land 3). These units are substantially alike. The lower unit 28 is shown in Fim. 4, 5 and 6, and the following description thereof also describes unit 27. I

Referring to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 inparticular, the longitudinalfchanne'ls; 49 support fixed side frame (Figs 4 and 5) .in 'each of which is embodied a slide guide 67 (Fig. 5) for slide bars 68a, the latter being connected by a .slidable frame 68,.extending across the machine frame 25 (Fig. 2-); Said frame is generally rectangular andis formed of side members 69 (Figs. 4 and 5) connected at :by transversc'members 70 (Figs. 4 and 5) and,

at the bottom, by similar members 71 (Fig. 5 The units 27. and 28 .are'thus mounted for longitudinal adjustment ofth'emachineframe- N 6 Mop frame 53 there i provided a' of wire'fecdihg wheels 12, positionedside-by-side to feed a wire 13 be-.

twe'en them in a direction toward the left, as seen in Fig. 2, and guided as by; a guide tube.74 (Figs. 4 and 5). Each wheel 72 is mounted on a shaft75 in upper and The wheels 72 are peripherally grooved for the'wire. 73

"and, by anfladjustment. 76,.one of. the wheels can head- I justed with respect to the other to effect proper feeding ofthe wire. A pair of gears 77'(Fig.15) connect shafts 75 and achain and 'sprocketdrive 78, from one of the shafts,is made to the drive 29 (Fig. 5). Thus the wheels 72 rotate in opposite directions to effectthc mentioned A fixed mandrel 79 (Fig. 6): that is formed with a longitudinal groove 80 which,.toward:the end thereof away from wheels 72, gradually is formed as'a' helical groove .81, receives the wire from wheels 72. The mandrel residessin a hardened sleeve 82 and a set screw 83 fixedly holds said mandrel in .the 'slcevel .A rear collar. 84 is strong over the helically grooved portion'of the mandrel.

die is mounted in a bracket 87 (Fig; 4) on a slide 88 that is adjustablein ways 89 (Fig; 4) bymeans of adjusting screws 90.. By adjusting the die 85 withorespcc t to the end of mandrel 79, an ironing relationship is set between .the helixand newness groove 86 toleither bearings carried by frame members 70 and 71.

slightly expand or contract the pitch of the helix, as the case may be, and thereby bring the same to the accurate pitch desired. In this manner, wear in the mandrel is compensated for. The helix, designated 91, is guided through the die by a reduced. end 92 of the mandrel and the collar 84 is held in place by a suitable bracket 93.

Inthe above-described manner, an accurately pitched helix is obtained and it will be evident that, in order to orient the turns of the helix with the spring coil mechanism 31 and 32 (Fig. 2) so that thelatter will properly thrcadedly engage and thereby connect adjacent spring coils, the units 27 and 28 are mounted for bodily adjustment on slides 67-68 (Figs. 4, 5, 2 and 3), as above described. l

The drive 29 for the helical units 27 and 28 comprises a vertical shaft 94 (Figs. 5, 3) driven from clutch 30 (Fig. 1) to effect a drive, upon coupling of the clutch, from shaft 52 (Fig. l) to the chain and sprocket drives 78 and to the wire-feeding wheels 72.-

The clutch 30"(Fig. 1) has a clutch lever 96 (Fig. 1)

that is movable'through the medium of an air cylinder 97 to either coupleorv uncouple the drive between shaft 52 and shaft 94. Said air cylinder is controlled by a fourway valve 98 (Fig. 1), and said valve is actuated from an electric current line 99 by solenoids 100 and 101. The manner of operation of valve 98 to control clutch 30 will, hereinafter, be more fully described." 1 One of the units 27 or 28 (Fig. 2) has one of its shafts 75 (Figs. 2 and 5) extended to drive the means 39 (Fig. 1, right, center) for controlling the length of feed of the helices 91. This means 39 simply comprises a pair of sprockets 102, one 'on said extended shaft 75 and the other on asecond shaft 103, and a chain 104 having a projection 1'05 thereon. The chain is of a length substantially equal to the length of feed-of the helices and said projection 105 moves with the chain to encounter a switch 106 in series with solenoid 101 and across the line 99. It will be evident that, for each cycle of movement of projection 105, the same will close switch 106 to energize solenoid 101 and the latter-will actuate valve 98 to direct air to that end of cylinder 97 which will cause clutch lever 96 to de-clutch clutch 30.

Toggles 134 (Fig. 1), when straightened to lock bars "117 and118 (Fig. 3) in helix-guiding position, are used to close afswitch 164 (Fig. 1) to energize solenoid 100 and, thereby, actuate valve 98' to direct air to cylinder 97 for moving clutch lever 96 in a direction to couple clutch 30. Thus, only upon straightening of the toggles, can valve, 98 be operated to couple clutch 30. Consequently, the drive to -the units 27 and 28 is connected only when said toggles are straight, the same being indicative of a normal :operativc alignment of the two rows of spring that end. of cylinder 97'that will de-clutch clutch 30 and 'stop theunits 27'a nd28. l I The clutch lever 9 6 (Fig. l), is arranged to move'a slide 3l8 against the' pull of a spring 319 to close a switch 320. The latter is ina circuit 321 that includes a solenoid 322. The movable armature 323.of said solenoid is so interconnected withone-revolution clutch 64 that, upon encrgizati on of said solenoid, its armature will move to lock said clutch open. Consequently, should the operator step on pedal 65 during any intermediate stage of the cycle operation of the machine, the mechanical phase of the operation cannot be instituted.

When the slide 318 moves as'described, the core 324 of a solenoid 325 or any part controlled thereby, moves in behind said slide to hold switch 320 closed when clutch lever 96 of clutch 30 moves back to its initial position when said clutch 30 is uncoupled upon closing of switch The units 41, 42, 43 and 44 each have the like function of cutting one end of a helix and forming said-end into a closed loop as shown in Fig. 13. Theunits 41 and 43 are located at the ends of the upper helix and units 42 and 44 at the ends of the lower one. Because of space conditions in the machine, these units, although similar in function, are somewhat differently constructed and proportioned. Figs. 7 to show the lower unit 42 on the incoming side of the lower helix and said unit will be described, it being understood that said description will serve also for units 41, 43 and 44.

' Channels 49 support a frame 176. on which is mounted a slide 177. Said slide is moved by an air cylinder 178 (Fig. 8) through the medium of a piston 179.connected to the slide; ment of said slide in both directions. A pair of pins 182 on the slide engage a shearing cutter 183 that is pivoted at 184 to move the cutter end 185 of said cutting relative to a shear plate 186.

Said cutter and shear plate are mountedon an arm 187 that is pivoted at 188 on a frame 189 also fixedly mounted across channels 49. A link 190 connects arm 187 with the actuating piston of an air cylinder 191 for rocking said arm to bring the cutter and shear plate into position to cut a helix 91 fed past the unit. A spring 192 normally rocks said arm to hold the cutter and shear plate elevated to provide a path for the feeding movement of the helix. 9 W I The'cylinder 178 (Figs. 1, 7 and 8) is controlled by valve 175 (Fig. 1) which, on. the return of the clutch lever 96 (Fig. l) to de-clutched position, is actuated to direct air into that end of cylinder 178 which will:cause projection of piston 179 and movement of slide 177 in adirection to shear that turn of a helix which is caught between the cutter end 185 and shear plate 186. At the end of this movement of slide 177, the same, as seen in Fig. 1, will close a switch 193 in a circuit 194 that connects in series a solenoid 195 associated-with valve 175 and a solenoid 196 associated with a, valve 197.. The slide 177 thus causes its 'oWn return since valve.175- will be actuated to direct air to that end ofcylinder-j178 which causes retraction of piston 179. The function of solenoid-196 will be laterdescribed.

The frame 189 (Fig. 7) includes a top plate 198 (Figs. 6, 7 and 8) that is similar to the plates 111 and, together with that one of the latter that is next'adjacent, provides a guide and support for the first spring coil 108 (Figs. 2 and 3) of the row thereof that is manually fed to the machine. a v

One end of frame 189 is mounted on .a vertical wall 199 to which is atfixed a bracket 200 thatmountsa twister unit 201 (Figs. 9 and 10) for formingthe mentioned closed loop 202 on the cut end of the helix 91. Said unit comprises a shaft 203 having bearing in said bracket and which carries a gear pinion 204. An upper extension of said pinion is formed as a flange 205 anda compression spring 206 is coiled about shaft 203 andhas end abutment on said flange and on, the bracket 200, whereby said shaft is held in depressed position. The upper end of shaft 203 extends above the bracket and is formed with a partial upstanding peripheral wall 207 (Figs. ll, 12 and 13) and an eccentrically mounted pin 208 substantially coextensive therewith. The lower end of the shaft, belowthe bracket, is bevelled as at 209 (Fig. 10). The spring206 normally depresses shaft .203 ,to hold the wall 207 and pin 208 below the path of movement ofa helix.

Means are provided for oscillating shaft Said means comprises aigear rack 210 '(Fig. .10) mounted on a wall 211 comprising part of aislide 212 and normally out of mesh with pinion 204. Said slide is reciprocated Stops 180 and 181 (Fig. 8) limit the move-' by an air cylinder213 (Fig. 1) butjjconnected therewith through the cylinder piston 214 (Fig. 1). Said slide 212 also carries a wedge block 215 (Fig. 10) that engages the bevel 209 of shaft 203 to lift the shaft and cause enmeshing of pinion 204 with rack 210 and also raising of wall 207 and pin'208 to the position wherein said-wall and pin flank the end turn of the helix 91. 7 Thus, movement of slide 212 to the right in Fig. 10, will bothlift shaft 203 and partially rotate the same in one direction. A movement of the slide to the left will rotate the shaft and allow spring 206 to depress the same to its initial position. To insure such depression of the shaft, a bellcrank lever 216, pivoted at 217 on a fixed wall 218 of .frame 189, is engaged by an abutment 219 on slide 212 and rocked to cause itsend 220 to bodily depress flange 205 on the pinion. V I

The movement to the left of. the slide 212 is instituted by one or 'moreof the toggles 134 (Fig. 1) to ,cause lateral separation of bars 117 and 118, when the cutter slide 177 (Fig. 7) is returned to its initial position to close switch 193 (Fig. 1) and energize solenoid 196 (Fig. 1). The latter is associated with four-way valve 197. This valve not only controls the admission of compressedair to cylinder 191 but also to .a cylinder (not shown) that actuates toggles. 134 (Fig. 1). 3

As shaft 203 (Figs. 9 and 10) is rotated, wall 207 and pin 208 cooperate, as seen in Figs. 12 and 13 to twist the end turn of the helix 91 to form the same into the closed loop 202. When the slide 212 reaches its end position to the left, it closes a switch 226 (Fig. 1,) that closes an electriccircuit 227 to a solenoid 228 andthe latter actuates valve 225 to direct air to that end ofcylinder 213 which will cause the same to return the slide'to its initial position at the rightand thereby restore the twister unit 201 to its depressed position. v I Toward the end of a full revolution of shaft 55 (Fig. 1), after rotation thereof has been instituted by depression of pedal 65, an arm or finger 229 (Fig. 1) on shaft 52 closes a switch 230 and a circuit 231. This circuit energizes a solenoid 232 to actuate valve 197 to direct air to that endof cylinder 191 which produces straighten.- ingof toggles 134. Simultaneously, valve 197 directs air to cylinder 191 to cause the same, through link 190, to rock arm 187 and move the cutter 185 and its shear plate 186into position to cut through a helix. 5.;

A switch 326 (Fig. 1) is :placed immediately adjacent to switch 106 and since there is a' slightovertravel of chain 104, the projection thereon after closing switch 106, moves by and closes switch 326. A circuit 327 is made by saidlatter switch to energize solenoid 174 and operate valve 175 to directsair to cylinders 178 in a directionto move slides 177 to cause operation of the cutters, thus cutting oif the forward ends of thehelices and also severing them from connection with units 27 and 28.

At the end. oftheir movement, the slides 177 close switches v193 to simultaneously perform three steps .of the-cycle o f operation.;;. Closingof switch 193', through circuit 194, energizes solenoid'195 to. actuate. valve 175 and effect-return of cutter slides 177. At the same time a circuit 328 is. closed,to solenoid 196 to actuate, valve 197 toeflect breaking oftoggles 134 and3lifting of cutters 183a Simultaneously, a circuit'329 is closed to solenoid 224 to, operate valve 225 to direct air to cylinders 213 in. a direction to operate twister slides2l2and twisters 201. i t I 1 I At the end of the operative movement of'the twister slides 212, one or more of said slides closeqswitches 226 and through circuit 227 to energize solenoid- 228, operate valve 225and, thereby, restore theslides 212 to their initialposition. Simultaneously, a circuit 330 is closed through solenoid 325 to causeretraction of itsgarmatureclutch 64. Now, when theoperator'steps-on pedal 65,

the next-cycle of operation'is institt1ted.-' 1

7 before described.

, 7 a It 'will be seen from the above, that only after-the last operation-the twisting of-the ends of the helices-- can thecycle of operation be again started. l

The means40'is embodieddn the machine as herein- While I' have illustrated and described what I now regard a'sv'the (preferred embodiments of'my invention, the construction is, of course, subject to modifications without departing'frorn the spirit and scope of my invention; I,therefore, do not wish to restrict myself to the particular forms of construction illustrated and de scribed, but desire to avail myself of-all modifications that may ,fall'withincthe scope'of'the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: g

1. In a machine for connecting spring coils by means of'helices, said machine includingfa helix-cutting device having a frame with a-path therethrough for guiding said helix, a fhelix cutting assembly mounted on-said frame,

means for holding said arm in spaced relationship with respect tosaid frame and said helix, firstmeans to move said assembly toward said helix to bring said shearing anvil and said cutter arm into helix-cutting position, -a slide operatively engaging said arm only when said helixcutting assembly 'and said am are moved into helixcutting position, said slide moving said arm into the helix-cutting relationship with respect to said anvil upon engaging said arm. a 2. ha machine for producing bed springs formed'of rowsof spring coils and helices connecting adjacent portions of the upper and lower turnsof the spring coils of adjacent rows, said machine including two separate helix-forming and helix-feedingdevices, a common drive for said devices to simultaneously form first and second helices froma straightwire stock, and to feed said helices alongtwo parallel paths to connect first and second adjacent rows ofspring coils,- said drive including a normally open first clutch, first means for positioning and holding said adjacent rows of spring coils to receive saidhelices; second means controlled by said first means said second meansclosing said clutch for instituting the operation of said two helix-forming and helix-feeding devices, third means'driven'by-one of said helix-forming devices, said; third means opening said clutch after advancing said twohelices inmiwo respective positions in which said'helices connect said first and second adjacent rows of spring=coils,'two pairs of pneumatically-operated -cutters, one pair of cutters being-aligned with said 'first helix, and the other pair: being aligned with the second helix, fourth' means for operating said cutters simultan'eously and to-cut ofl 'said first and second helices immediately adjacentto the endsofsaid rows of spring coils, said fourth means -being*initially actuated by said third means and fifthmeans responsive to adetlectionof either helix from their'norrnal paths during feed thereof to open'said clutch before said clutch normally is opened by said'third means said- -fifthmeans stopping; the op-c eration of both helix-forming and helix-feeding devices.

= 3. In a "machine forproducing'bed springs formed of 7 -controlled by;said first"mea ns, to close said clutch to institute :the operationof the two helix-forming and helixfeeding devicesythird means driven by one of said helixforming dcvice's to 'open-;the clutch after advancing a predetermined lengthmofi each helix,,said le'ng'th' being adjacent rows of spring coils, apneumatically-operated cutter for each helix, and fourth means to operate the cutters simultaneously to sever each helix adjacent to the last pair of spring coils in said rows, said fourth means being operated by said third means.

4.In a machine for producing bed springs formed of rows of spring coils and helices connecting the upper and lower turns of the spring coils of adjacent rows, two separate helix-forming and helix-feeding devices to form and feed upper and lower helices to connect two adjacent rows of spring coils, first means to operate said devices including a common drive having a single clutch; second means, driven by one of said devices, to control the lengths of helices fed and to disconnect said clutch after a pie-determined length of helices has been fed, cutters immediately adjacent the upper and lower turns of the spring coils at the ends of said two adjacent rows, each cutter having a cutter operating slide; third means, actuated by said second means, for sequentially disconnecting said clutch and then shifting said slides, said slides engaging said cutters to cut off the outer ends of said helices and also simultaneously cut off said helices at the points adjacent to the spring coils first connected by the helices, andfourth means responsive to a deflection of either helix during feed thereof to disconnect said clutch and stop the feed of both helices, and means for positioning and holding adjacent rows of coil springs in alignment to receive said helices advanced by said forming and feeding means.

a 5,- In a machine as defined in claim 4, in which each cutter is provided with loop-forming means for forming a loop on the end of the helix associated therewith, slide retracting means, andmeans operated by said cutteroperating slides atthe end of their projecting movement to simultaneously operate said loop-forming means and said slide retracting means.

6; In a machine asdefined in claim 1, in which said first means includes a piston-cylinder combination connected to a source of compressed fluid through a first valve, a first relay for actuating said first valve into a first position for actuating said first means into a position for moving said assemblyinto the helix-cutting position, a second relay for actuating said first valve into a second position for lifting said assembly away from said helix. '7. Ina machine as defined inclaim 6, in which said slide includes a slide-actuatingpiston-cylinder combination connected to said source of compressed fluid through 'a second valve, and a third relay for actuating said second valve first into the first position whereby said slide-actuating piston moves said cutter arm against said shearing anvil, and a fourth relay actuated by said slide, for returning said second valve into its original position for reversing the movement of said piston and returning said slide into its original position.

8. A machine for interlacing two, adjacent, parallel rows of coil springs with two helices, one helix interlacing said coil springs along an upper line of contact between said two rows, and the second helix interlacing said coil springs along a lower line of contact between said two rows, said machine including first means for positioning said coil springs into said two. rows, second means operable simultaneously for shaping first and second straight-wire stock into first and second continuous said first "means after said, first means completes the positioning of said coils into said two rows, whereby said secondmeans becomes operative only after the com- I pletionof the operating cycleof said first means, said second means also including a second relay, a second normally open switch-in series with 'saidsecond relay and a third means for closing said second switch after fixed lengths of helices are. advanced by said second means, said fixed length being slightly in excess of the length of said rows, said second relay de-actuating said second means, fourth means actuated by said third means upon the completion of its cycle by said third means, said fourth means cutting off said first and second helices at each end of said rows, and fifth means actuated by said fourth means upon the completion of its cycle by said fourth means, said fifth means reshaping the four wireends of the two helices interconnecting said two rows into wire-ends having closed loops.

9. A machine as defined in claim 8, which also includes an additional means for de-activating said second means upon deviation of either one of said helices from the respective upper and lower lines of contact.

10. A machine as defined in claim 8, in which said first means includes a motor, a main shaft continuously driven by said motor, four auxiliary shafts driven by said main shaft and clutch means for each of said four shafts, said clutch means having means for disconnecting said four shafts from said main shaft upon completing one revolution.

11. A machine as defined in claim 10, in which said first means also includes a foot pedal for initially actuating said first means and means for locking out said pedal for one revolution of said four shafts and automatically unlocking said pedal upon completion of said one revolution.

12. A machine as defined in claim 11, in which said second means includes a motor, a main shaft connected 10 to and driven by said motor, an auxiliary shaft driveii by said motor, a clutch included in said auxiliary shaft, and sixth means for automatically closing said clutch, said sixth means including said first switch closed by said first means upon completion of the normal operating cycle of said first means.

13. A machine as defined in claim 12, in which said third means includes wire-feeding Wheels and a mechanical actuator for said second switch and a third switch, said actuator being driven by one of said wheels and said third switch being positioned in a lagging relationship with respect to the position of said second switch, whereby said actuator first operates said second switch and then said third switch, in sequence; said second switch, upon being closed, actuating said second relay, a valve operated by said second relay, and a pneumatic means connected to said valve for disconnecting said clutch, said third switch, upon being closed, initiating the operating cycle of said third means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,161,689 Strandberg June 6, 1939 2,262,994 Dickey Nov. 18, 1941 2,296,878 Saval Sept. 29, 1942 2,388,106 Woller Oct. 30, 1945 2,470,812 Gauci May 24, 1949 2,649,120 November Aug. 18, 1953 2,663,038 Gail Dec. 22, 1953 

